Proposed Florida property tax break may shift burden to second-home owners

Florida voters are considering a property tax cut that could increase taxes for non-homestead properties, which make up 53% of homes statewide and do not qualify for a tax break.

In Lee County, there are 300,000 properties without a homestead exemption, and part-time owners in 55+ communities like Lake Arrowhead and Laurel Estates could face significant tax increases if the measure passes.

“In this case, it might be 30 to 40% higher costs,” said Matt Caldwell, Lee County property appraiser. “They’re going to pass that through.”

Anne Calascibetta, a homeowner in North Fort Myers, said she chose her community because of its reasonable taxes.

“I don’t know if I would stay here if they doubled my taxes,” Calascibetta said.

She added that eliminating taxes could influence her decision to make her Florida home her primary residence.

“If they did eliminate taxes here, I definitely would make this my homestead. As it is now, I want to stay here longer than I do in Michigan,” she said.

Karen Montgomery, a ReMax realtor, said about half of the homeowners in Lake Arrowhead have second or third homes.

“For those who live here permanently, of course, they’re all rejoicing about the tax cuts,” Montgomery said. “But for those who have those second homes, if they can only homestead one home, of course, they’re looking at possible increases on their homes and taxes.”

Montgomery also noted that eliminating property taxes is attracting interest from people planning for retirement.

“I’m already seeing people call and say we’re not ready to retire yet, but we are planning ahead, and we may be able to use it as a vacation home until we retire,” Montgomery said. “With prices down and the possibility of taxes going away, they are already interested.”

The decision now lies with voters like Terry Bernier, who said eliminating taxes would provide him with more financial flexibility.

“I will say no taxes because it will give me a little extra money to do something else. Maybe take a cruise. I’ve never been on one,” Bernier said.

If the tax cut passes, anyone who buys a home after Dec. 31, 2026, must wait five years to receive the full $250,000 exemption.